i'm melting. last friday i mentioned a heat wave was upon us here in california and today is the hottest day yet. as i type, sweat is dripping from my brow, i'm laying in a slip dress directly in front of our only fan and i'm pretty sure in about twenty minutes the only thing left of me will be a puddle on the floor. 

the only thing saving me in the 95 degree heat + humidity + zero air conditioner is this cocktail. keep. them. coming.

i'm keeping it short and sweet today because the computer on my lap has already melted away my lower half and if i don't pop my head in the freezer soon, i may pass out. hop in your air conditioned car, run to the air conditioned market and pick up some in season peaches, beautiful basil and PLENTY OF ICE. then park yourself somewhere cool and enjoy this delicious libation. 

peach + basil sparkler
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time 2 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1 oz fresh lemon juice. 1 tsp grand marnier. 2 tbs chopped yellow peaches + 1 peach wedge for garnish. 10 basil leaves, torn up + a few leaves for garnish. 3-5 oz club soda. 1 cup ice. shaker. muddler. 

start by combining the chopped peaches, vodka and basil in the bottom of the shaker. use the muddler to smash up the basil and peaches, infusing your vodka. 

once the basil is smashed to smithereens and the peaches are basically pureed. 

pour in the lemon juice and grand marnier. 

add a couple ice cubes and shake well till everything is combined. 

strain the beverage into a glass with the rest of the ice. 

top your glass off with club soda to taste and stir well to combine. 

garnish with peach wedge and basil. enjoy!

xo, a

peach + basil sparkler
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time 2 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1 oz fresh lemon juice. 1 tsp grand marnier. 2 tbs chopped yellow peaches + 1 peach wedge for garnish. 10 basil leaves, torn up + a few leaves for garnish. 3-5 oz club soda. 1 cup ice. shaker. muddler.
tart by combining the chopped peaches, vodka and basil in the bottom of the shaker. use the muddler to smash up the basil and peaches, infusing your vodka. once the basil is smashed to smithereens and the peaches are basically pureed. pour in the lemon juice and grand marnier. add a couple ice cubes and shake well till everything is combined. strain the beverage into a glass with the rest of the ice. top your glass off with club soda to taste and stir well to combine. garnish with peach wedge and basil. enjoy!

there may be a hurricane brewing over texas, but here in socal, we are headed into a heat wave. costa mesa is heading into our hottest time of the year and with no air conditioning and cake orders that require the OVEN, i'm looking for anything cooling these days. 

my friyay cocktail is no exception. cucumber makes this floral gin + st. germain combination very soothing for a sweltering summer day. bonus points if you serve it in a chilled glass. 

lemon + cucumber gin fizzle
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 3 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz gin. 1 oz fresh lemon juice. 10 thin slices of cucumber. .5 oz st. germain. 3-5 oz club soda. edible flowers for garnish (i used borage). shaker. muddler. strainer. 2 cups ice. 

in the bottom of your shaker, combine 8 of the cucumber slices, lemon juice and st. germain. 

muddle together until the cucumber is completely crushed. about 2 minutes. 

pour in half the ice and the gin and shake well till combined. about 30 seconds. 

fill your serving glass with the rest of the ice and the remaining cucumber slices. strain your cocktail over the ice. 

top off the drink with club soda to taste. 

garnish with edible flowers. 

enjoy! 

xo, a

lemon + cucumber gin fizzle
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 3 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz gin. 1 oz fresh lemon juice. 10 thin slices of cucumber. .5 oz st. germain. 3-5 oz club soda. edible flowers for garnish (i used borage). shaker. muddler. strainer. 2 cups ice.
in the bottom of your shaker, combine 8 of the cucumber slices, lemon juice and st. germain.
muddle together until the cucumber is completely crushed. about 2 minutes.
pour in half the ice and the gin and shake well till combined. about 30 seconds.
fill your serving glass with the rest of the ice and the remaining cucumber slices. strain your cocktail over the ice.
top off the drink with club soda to taste.
garnish with edible flowers.
enjoy!